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Whimsy Quilt Tutorial

March 10, 2014

I finally finished the quilt I’ve been giving you all sneak peaks of 🙂 This quilt comes together really fast with easy patchwork and cutting, and the design works perfect with this beautiful, fresh and vintage low volume bundle.

Above: Quilting in the Rain bundle from Whimsy Quilt and Fabrics

Also, I’ve had some people ask what I used for my backing and binding fabric. For the backing I used Delilah by Tanya Whelan. You’ll need 3.25 yards.

And for the binding I used Old/New 30’s by Lecien. You’ll need 1/2 yard.

Step 1: From all fifteen quarter yards, cut five 8″ squares from each. This will give you a total of seventy-five 8″squares.

Step 2: Make eight 9-patch blocks as shown below using your 8″ squares. To do this, first sew three blocks in each row together for a total of three rows (with right sides facing together, sew a 1/4″ seam allowance and the press open). Then, sew all 3 rows together.

Note: I didn’t put my prints in any particular order. I just started sewing rows with 3 blocks each, and then later picked out which rows I wanted to assemble to make my 9-patch blocks.

After you’ve assembled eight of these blocks, fold it in half and press with an iron, and then fold that in half again and press. When you unfold it, there will be lines where you pressed and will look similar to this:

Step 3: Using fabric scissors, cut the folds that you pressed from the previous step. First cut it in half as shown below…

…then cut those in half so that the block is quartered evenly.

Your block will look like this. After you ‘quarter’ all eight blocks, you will have 32 smaller blocks. To make your quilt top, you will need 30 of these blocks.

Step 4: Arrange 30 of your blocks in a 5×6 formation as shown below, alternating the blocks at random and in whichever direction looks best. I tried to arrange my blocks so that none of the same prints touched, but I think I still got a couple touching. =)

To assemble, start by sewing 5 blocks in each row together (with right sides facing together, sew a 1/4″ seam allowance and then press open). Then, sew all 6 rows together.

Tip: Press the seams in each row in alternating directions (i.e. first row, press seams to the left; second row, press seams to the right, … etc.) so that later when you assemble the rows, your seams will nest at the intersections.

Step 5: Take your backing fabric (3.25 yards) and cut it in half so that you have two 58.5″x43″ rectangles. Sew these together along along the length (with right sides facing together, sew a 1/4″ seam allowance and then press open).

23 Responses to Whimsy Quilt Tutorial

The disappearing nine patch is such a go to quilt pattern when one is short on inspiration. I use it all the time, particularly for baby and toddler quilts. No fail and always pleasing as is this one in the photos. Good job.

What would be a good way to quilt this one if my machine can't do free motion quilting? And I'm thinking this would be a good pattern for a baby quilt I'm planning. If I want it to be smaller, what size/how many squares should I use?

Rosemary B here:Your cutie baby is a great addition to show off your creation! What a happy little oneI like this quilt. Disappearing 9 patch is so fun and sometimes when the same fabrics touch is gives the pattern some "motion" I like it!!

Okay, stupid question alert!… Do you put batting in between? I love how this turned out. You picked some beautiful fabrics!!

April, I'd suspect about 15-20 of the pieced & cut blocks would give you a good size baby quilt. As for quilting, I've done a disappearing 9 patch in the past and did basic straight stitching and it looked lovely. Or you can always quilt on the diagonal as well.

Hi Jera! Lidia used to be my neighbor in Tacoma (Erin, Finley, Tula…) I am thinking of starting a queen size quilt and maybe something king size I could use as a duvet cover if that is even possible. I can sew pretty basic stuff but where do I even start? Does your book have what I need or a link to something you've done? Your work in amazing!

This is my favorite quilt I am starting on it tonight. I love how your tutorials are geared for the beginner or the advanced quilter. I find your tutorials so refreshing, yes you can use a rotary cutter but scissors is fine. I love that about your explanations and thank you so much for continuing to offer tutorials even though you look quite busy. I will send a picture when I am finished!